Craig Stanfield

9.8

Opened this 2 1/2 hours ago and still not really showing much. Nose is floral with purple flowers and juniper. Dark fruit, cedar, integrated oak and firm but round tannin. Pepper and minerality present as well. But I can tell this one isn't singing all of its notes yet. Initial rating 93. Will see if we see the 98 score that Parker gave it. 5+ hours in and now we are getting somewhere. Layers and intricacies. Now I see the 98 range. I'd probably put it at 97+ but 98 will do. — 8 years ago

Reza Oliyai

10

Second bottle of 2008 vintage. Perfect score for a perfect wine. — 9 years ago

Richard Steinberg

9.1

This is still a baby. Over time this could score higher. It's all there but a bit too muscular in its evolution. The stuffing is there. — 9 years ago

Martin Frowde

8.9

Lovely deep purple colour and inviting cassis bouquet (soft and gentle, not in your face despite a hint of black pepper). Smooth mouthfeel with good initial blackcurrant flavour with a hint of eucalyptus but a little acid and the aftertaste just leaves you wanting a little bit more from the wine because it is so close to being "wow". Definitely a good wine to have with food and it needed at least 90 mins post decanting to open up. GBP 40 which to my mind is a little over-priced and prevents me from giving it a score of 9. — 10 years ago

with Georgina

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

2003, Lovely wine, new world in style, rich intense and lavish. Deep garnet color, tempting nose of licorice, black cherries, leather, wet soil, chocolate, black rip plums, full body with well integrated rich round tannins, lovely acidity that is quit surprising for the extra warm vintage, long delicious dry yet ripe finish. A truly delightful wine, that is underrated in my humble opinion. My score 90+, drink to 2018, perhaps even longer. — 10 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.5

Amazing Merlot!!! Pure pleasure - an extraordinary mix of power freshness and complexity. A masterpiece. Those who know me, know that I don't easily grant 5 stars. But here each star is well deserved!!!

My score 95, drink 2014-2028!

The wine is almost black in color, the nose is seductive and essentially you fall in love with this wine from the first sniff. The aromas are rich and concentrated, plum, black cherry, sweet spices, licorice, coffee, chocolate, blueberry jam and much more. Body is full, chewy, rich intense , rich and extracted, a rare combination of fruit forward and freshness, the tannins are round, smooth and caressing, the light acidity keeps you addicted. The finish is long, and addictive.. Impossible to stop drinking it — 10 years ago

Michael Zari

10

Wow! If the score is about perfection, I have never had a better merlot, even Petrus. Just saying! — 12 years ago

Jordan Franceschini

9.4

The real deal. Yes a bit early. Score goes higher. Lyle- love that tannin wall you refer to. Hitting on many notes. — 9 years ago

with Lyle

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.1

This wine is showing beautifully at the age of 21, deep gold color, lovely nose full dry apricot, honey, orange peels, dates and a touch of flowers scent, full creamy body, not very sweet with lovely supporting acidity, long finish. A truly delicious dessert wine from a reasonable Sauternes vintage. My score 91, drink to 2021 — 9 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

8.9

A lovely robust second wine that needs more time to mature, this blend of 50% CS 50% Merlot has a deep garnet color , very expressive aromas of black current, cedar wood, black cherries, cigar box, tea leaves and plums, an excellent melange of earthiness and fruit, full body with firm dry tannins and great acidity, this wine is still young and needs more time to mellow and show his well masked smoothness, long dry delicious finish, after 8 hours starts to open up and deliver more complexity. My score 89, drink 2016-2022, next bottle in 2017 ;-) — 10 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

A lovely performer in the problematic 2012 vintage, this Saint Julien blend of 65% CS, 32% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, has a deep purple color, a tempting compressed nose full of black fruits, dark cherries, black pepper, licorice, coffee and stone notes, full rich round body, with acidity that will carry this wine for a couple of decades and a long lasting finish. My score 90, drink to 2033 — 10 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.3

1998, A true legendary wine, it needs still time to show its full quality and character. Tasted double blind. I guessed it was a Pauillac from early 2000s but did not think it was such an iconic wine :-)
Lovely garnet color, complex nose, yet a bit tight, full of black current, coffee, dry leaves, mineral and iron, full body, rich layered, complex, tannins are velvety and smooth after 2 hours. And the finish was long. My score 93, drink to 2026. Would love revisit in 5 years. — 10 years ago

Max Bozoghlian

Owner/Wine Director Carlito's Gardel

9.2

Should merit a higher score after a few years in the cellar. — 11 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

A fantastic 2002, this lovely wine shows once more that today there aren't really bad years in Bordeaux, this Pontet Canet was well structured rich and tempting. Deep red, tempting rich multi layered nose ripe cherries, black current, coffee, cigar box, and tea leaves, full rich body, dry tannins, full of black fruit, high acidity and a long chewy finish. Was worth the wait, my score 90. Drink to 2022 — 9 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Nice wine but lacking body for higher score. Oaky upfront and sweet edge at the end. — 9 years ago

with Tammy

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

8.9

One of my last bottles of this wine bought 11 years ago, the wind is at is peak, with lots of sediments and character. Color is red with brown rims, nose us complex mature and rich with licorice, coffee, espresso, plums, black cherry and a touch of port, body is full round and tannins are smooth and velvety,acidity is still there and will carry the wine for a few more years, yet my recommendation is go ahead and finish what you have in your stock, as risk of passing peak is high. My score 89, drink up. — 9 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

This is a truly great Italian Merlot that needs time to shine. It is too young and does not show its full potential. It has a dark purple color, the nose is lovely and elegant, full of character with layers of black fruits and sweet spices, plums marmalade, black cherries, and sweet anis. Full body, fruity, nice acidity, well integrated tannins. Very young, needs time to evolve. My score 90, drink 2017-2028 — 10 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.1

1996, This 1996 blend of 61% CS and 39% merlot, showed beautifully and justifying the 19 years of cellaring.
A truly deep rich and elegant wine. Lavish red appealing color, lovely nose, leather, black cherries, black current, wet soil, mineral, medium to full body, with soft round tannins, smooth, deep, complex, lovely acidity to balance, and a delicious finish, with hint of sweetness. A truly lovely wine. My score 91, drink to 2019. — 10 years ago

Alec Jeffery

9.0

Nose a little closed, decanting helped, cherry and black fruits, soft tannins, a little short on the aftertaste, not rich enough for a top score. Worth seeking out. — 10 years ago

Lowell Su

9.8

Perfectly balanced Bordeaux. Shoulder height was a slightly low and the cork wasn't in best condition leading to a not perfect score for me. Otherwise the merlot and Cabernet danced together well in flavor and blend. — 11 years ago